GE : imagination at work
GE : imagination at work
GE : imagination at work
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领 导 力 连 线 Leaders’ ConnectionCuriosity Leads to Success— An Exclusive Interview with <strong>GE</strong> CTC President Xiangli ChenIf he hadn't joined <strong>GE</strong> after gradu<strong>at</strong>ing, he might have become a famous college professor; or he might have become aprestigious innov<strong>at</strong>or of technology instead of being a driving force of building the <strong>GE</strong> China Technology Center (CTC) into wh<strong>at</strong>it is today. Who is he? He is <strong>GE</strong> CTC President Xiangli Chen, a name everyone <strong>at</strong> CTC knows. In 2001, Xiangli Chen received aCEO award from Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO of <strong>GE</strong>. In 2009, he was awarded the Magnolia Silver Award by the ShanghaiMunicipal People's Government. Recently, he received the Enterprise Innov<strong>at</strong>ion Award <strong>at</strong> the CBN Innov<strong>at</strong>ion 50 AwardCeremony. These prestigious awards have helped make Chen a legacy, leaving many <strong>at</strong> <strong>GE</strong> to wonder how he achieved thesesuccesses. To discover Chen's secrets, we had an exclusive interview with him to learn about his life's story best described in twowords: curiosity and innov<strong>at</strong>ion.As a young boy, Chen was curious about the way the world <strong>work</strong>ed. He was not only a top student in his class, but also wasfond of asking questions and exploring the answers. He was deeply interested in physics in junior high school and continued tostudy the major in college. After gradu<strong>at</strong>ion in 1985, in order to learn more about the outside world, he <strong>at</strong>tended the Universityof Illinois in America to pursue his gradu<strong>at</strong>e degree and doctor<strong>at</strong>e. Due to his supervisor's influence, Chen started to learn aboutmechanical engineering, and followed his supervisor to study interdisciplinary subjects such as chemistry and m<strong>at</strong>erial science.This inspired his curiosity, gave him a keen interest in interdisciplinary subjects and accumul<strong>at</strong>ed broaden knowledge, laying asolid found<strong>at</strong>ion for him to start <strong>work</strong>ing for a global corpor<strong>at</strong>ion with diversified business interests like <strong>GE</strong>.Curiosity helped Chendiscover new thingsabout the world, andalso helped himopen new doors forresearch <strong>at</strong> <strong>GE</strong>. Afterjoining <strong>GE</strong> in 1994,Chen was a regularemployee <strong>at</strong> <strong>GE</strong>'sglobal research centerin the United St<strong>at</strong>es.When <strong>GE</strong> decided to setup the first global researchcenter outside the U.S. in India, hehad already served as the project leader andpassed the certific<strong>at</strong>ion of six sigma master black beltbecause of his professional knowledge and excellentperformance. Continuing on the p<strong>at</strong>h of research would have led him to further achievements, but surprisingly, Chen took another roadafter hearing th<strong>at</strong> the new global research center would be loc<strong>at</strong>ed in India. In his opinion, China was another market <strong>GE</strong> should tap todevelop its research capability, triggering his question "Why wasn't China receiving more <strong>at</strong>tention from <strong>GE</strong>?"With this question, Chen and his Chinese colleagues discussed and analyzed the feasibility of building a research center in China. Withthe support of their leaders, they visited various <strong>GE</strong> business units including Lighting and Healthcare to learn about their tech demands.Instead of waiting to get further responses from <strong>GE</strong> Headquarter, he traveled to Beijing in November 1999. Apart from conducting QFDresearch with all business units, he also held meetings with leaders from various business units to discuss topics including the center'sfeasibility to its function and talents and experts needed to make it a reality. After collecting enough inform<strong>at</strong>ion and m<strong>at</strong>erials, Chenand his team were approved to set up the global research center in China with a budget of $ 200,000 <strong>at</strong> the end of the year.Embracing more than 60 world-class labs, CTC ranks first among all <strong>GE</strong> global research centers. Chen's professional highlights andinnov<strong>at</strong>ive spirit and ability to develop long-term plans help explain his promotion to president of CTC. To develop CTC, Chen focusedon chemistry, ceramic m<strong>at</strong>erials, modern processing, and plastic film, which served as starting points as the CTC grew into a largercenter for innov<strong>at</strong>ion. In 2003, Chen received approval from Jeff Immelt to establish the CTC in China, an acknowledgment of Chen'sleadership and his team's efforts. Since then, Chen has launched fe<strong>at</strong>ured programs on "Reverse Innov<strong>at</strong>ion" and "In China, for China",making contributions to the growth of <strong>GE</strong> global business and helping his team m<strong>at</strong>ure.Looking back, Chen said, "I received some major achievements in the field of laser ten years ago, but establishing the CTC hass<strong>at</strong>isfied my curiosity better and given me more chances to learn about how to <strong>work</strong> with and influence people to do gre<strong>at</strong> things. Atthe same time, I am really thankful to be a member of <strong>GE</strong> and experience its unparalleled and profound corpor<strong>at</strong>e culture and havemany opportunities to develop my career." Chen's strong curiosity and innov<strong>at</strong>ive spirit integr<strong>at</strong>e well with <strong>GE</strong>'s culture, acceler<strong>at</strong>ingthe speed of the CTC's development and his own career. Chen now enjoys his job <strong>at</strong> CTC <strong>work</strong>ing with more than 1,500 employees toachieve gre<strong>at</strong> things for <strong>GE</strong> and China.In his spare time, Chen plays badminton and golf with some of his CTC colleagues.Xiangli's top three keys to success: Fun facts about Xiangli:• Keep a curious heart to the world• Born in: Changsha• Dare to innov<strong>at</strong>e• Favorite food: nuts such as almond• Take your job seriously• Favorite sports: football, badminton, golf• Favorite color: purple35 <strong>GE</strong> & ME<strong>GE</strong> & ME 36